Unter den Linden Facts for Kids

This article is about Unter den Linden (Berlin U-Bahn). For Unter den Linden (waltz), see Unter den Linden (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Unter den Linden

Unter den Linden from Berlin Cathedral to Brandenburg Gate and Tiergarten park, view from Fernsehturm, 2005
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 416: Malformed coordinates value.
Former name(s)	Erste Straße (1673–1674) Neustädtische Allee (c. 1674–1690) Lindenallee (1690–1723) Lindenstraße (1723–1734)
Part of	Bundesstraße 2 Bundesstraße 5
Namesake	Linden trees
Type	Boulevard
Length	1,480 m (4,860 ft)
Width	60 m (200 ft)
Location	Berlin, Germany
Quarter	Mitte
Nearest metro station	Brandenburger Tor Unter den Linden Museumsinsel
Coordinates	Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
West end	Straße des 17. Juni Platz des 18. März Brandenburg Gate Pariser Platz
Major junctions	Wilhelmstraße Schadowstraße Neustädtische Kirchstraße Glinkastraße Friedrichstraße Charlottenstraße Universitätsstraße Bebelplatz Hinter dem Gießhaus Oberwallstraße Niederlagstraße Am Zeughaus Schinkelplatz
East end	Schlossbrücke Schloßplatz Berlin Palace Liebknecht Bridge Karl-Liebknecht-Straße
Construction
Inauguration	1573 (1573)

Unter den Linden (which means "under the linden trees") is a famous street in the center of Berlin, Germany. It's like a grand avenue, about 1.5 kilometers long. The street gets its name from the beautiful linden trees that grow along its middle section.

This important street connects many of Berlin's famous places. It runs from the Berlin Palace all the way to the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Along the way, you can see many historical buildings and landmarks.

A Walk Through History
Famous Places to See
Images for kids
See also

A Walk Through History

An old drawing of Unter den Linden from 1691.

Unter den Linden started as a simple path in the 1500s. A ruler named John George, Elector of Brandenburg used it to reach his hunting grounds. Later, in 1674, a queen named Dorothea Sophie helped turn it into a grand boulevard. She even planted some of the first linden trees herself!

Over time, Berlin grew, and Unter den Linden became the city's most important street. Many beautiful buildings were constructed along its sides. One famous statue, the equestrian statue of Frederick the Great, was placed there in 1851. It shows a powerful king on horseback.

During World War II, many of the linden trees were sadly destroyed. But after the war, in the 1950s, new trees were planted. Today, the street is once again lined with these lovely trees, making it a green and welcoming place.

Famous Places to See

A map showing the main points of interest along the street.

As you walk along Unter den Linden, you'll find many interesting spots. Starting from the east, near the Schlossbrücke (Palace Bridge), you can see:

Alte Kommandantur: This building, at number 1, was once a military headquarters.
Zeughaus: At number 2, this is the oldest building on the street. It was built between 1695 and 1706 and is now home to the Deutsches Historisches Museum, a German history museum.
Crown Prince's Palace: This was once the home of the royal princes.
Neue Wache: At number 4, this building is a memorial to victims of war and violence. It was designed by a famous architect, Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
Bebelplatz: This historic square is surrounded by grand buildings.
- Berlin State Opera: Often called Lindenoper, this is a beautiful opera house.
- St. Hedwig's Cathedral: A large Catholic church.
- Altes Palais: This "Old Palace" was a favorite home of Emperor Wilhelm I.
Humboldt University: At number 6, this is one of Berlin's oldest and most famous universities. You can see statues of famous brothers, Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt, in front of it.
Berlin State Library: A huge library with many books and documents.
Russian Embassy and Hungarian Embassy: These are the official buildings for these countries in Berlin.
Hotel Adlon: A very famous and luxurious hotel right next to the Brandenburg Gate.